Struggling $14 Million Edge Rusher Called ‘Biggest Problem’ for Buccaneers
There is something to be said for inactivity — in the terms of just refusing to play — being almost as bad for you, in some cases, as if you were actually injured.
In recent memory, players who have gone through extended holdouts where they missed offseason workouts, training camp, preseason games and, in a few rare cases, regular season games, just seem like they may have permanently lost a step when they return to action.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trying to figure out if they’ve got one of those types of players on their defense right now with edge rusher Haason Reddick, who has yet to show the level of play that made him one of the game’s most feared pass rushers for the last 5 seasons.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon singled out Reddick’s lack of productivity as the Buccaneers’ “Biggest Problem” headed into a Week 6 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Through 5 games, Reddick has just one sack to go with 13 tackles, 4 TFL and 4 QB hits. Despite that lack of production from the NFL All-Pro and 2-time Pro Bowler, the Buccaneers are 4-1.
“The Buccaneers beat the Seahawks in Week 5 despite the fact the defense failed to get much pressure on Sam Darnold while allowing 35 points,” Gagnon wrote on October 10. “That unit has just 10 sacks on the season, and a big part of that is the lack of production from its $14 million offseason addition. It’s fair to wonder if Reddick is rusty following what was essentially a lost season with the Jets in 2024. But he’s also 31 so who knows if he can find what he once had. Regardless, the pass rush is in trouble without him at his best.”
Perfect example of bad injury luck for Buccaneers.
Haason Reddick going for the sack on Hurts and collides with Yaya Diaby.
Buccaneers Made Splashy Move Signing Reddick
The Buccaneers signed Reddick to a 1-year, $14 million free agent contract on March 10 — the very first day teams could sign free agents in the 2025 cycle.
They also showed a lot of faith in a player who didn’t do much the previous year.
After Reddick was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New York Jets before the 2024 season, he entered into a prolonged holdout over his lack of a contract extension and made the decision to sit out the most games he could without losing a year toward his veteran’s status — 7 games — and returned to have just one sack in 10 games.
Edge Rusher Noticeable Weak Spot for Buccaneers
The message from the Buccaneers with the signing was they were intent on improving the weakest spot on their defense.
“Tampa Bay also took what I thought was a worthwhile gamble on Reddick at one year, $14 million,” ESPN’s Seth Walder wrote on July 10. “Reddick is coming off a lost season that featured a long contract standoff, 10 games played and only one sack. But Reddick has been an elite pass rusher (he posted double-digit sacks every year from 2020 to 2023) and could help Todd Bowles’ defense if he bounces back.”
Unless you’ve got Aaron Donald on your roster, it’s probably never a good sign when your best edge rusher isn’t leading the team in sacks — nose tackle Vita Vea leads Tampa Bay with 2.0 sacks followed by inside linebacker Lavonte David with 1.5 sacks.
Browns’ Myles Garrett Put Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers on Notice Before Week 6
Defensive end Myles Garrett has posted 13 sacks in his NFL career against the Pittsburgh Steelers. If he gets another one in Week 6, he will likely add Aaron Rodgers to his list of quarterbacks he’s sacked during his career.
Garrett explained to reporters this week that he is strongly looking forward to that opportunity Sunday.
“I’d be honored to put him in the graveyard, and definitely a lot of respect for what he’s done in his career, because he’s special,” said Garrett on Friday, via Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.
Garrett’s graveyard mention is a reference to the tombstones the defensive end places in his front yard around Halloween. Those tombstones include the names of the quarterbacks he has sacked during his career.
Legendary quarterbacks such as Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger are in the graveyard.
“Top five list, top 10 list?” Garrett said. “I’m sure Pat (Mahomes) will be on there. Ben (Roethlisberger) would be on there. (Tom) Brady would be on there.
“Let’s see, I think one day (Justin) Herbert will be in there. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer one day, but after that, I don’t know. Hell, I don’t remember all the names I’ve sacked. I’m just worried about the next one.”
Rodgers could be that next one. The 41-year-old quarterback has taken nine sacks in the first four games this season.
Myles Garrett Aiming to Sack Aaron Rodgers
Garrett didn’t make as much of an impact as a pass rusher the past two weeks. But the Browns defensive end was off to a hot start to begin 2025.
In Week 1, he sacked Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow twice. Garrett then had 1.5 sacks versus the Baltimore Ravens during Week 2.
Despite no sacks the past two weeks, Garrett is on pace for his eighth consecutive double-digit sack season. Each of the last five years, he’s made the All-Pro team. Four of those five nominations were to first-team All-Pro.
In 14 games against the Steelers, Garrett has posted 13 sacks. The only team he’s registered more sacks against is the Bengals (15).
Last season, Garrett had four sacks versus the Steelers, as he put Russell Wilson in his graveyard.
Rodgers Praises Garrett Ahead of Week 6
While Garrett made it clear he would love to sack Rodgers, the defensive end was highly complimentary of the four-time MVP quarterback. The feeling is mutual for Rodgers.
“Myles is a Hall of Famer. He might not be in yet, but that’s where he’s going,” Rodgers told reporters. “He’s one of the few players in the league over my 21 years that you game plan for. He is a special talent, a game wrecker.”
Rodgers had more yards and touchdowns in Week 1. However, the future Hall of Fame quarterback is coming off his most efficient day as a passer in his young Steelers career. During Week 4, Rodgers went 18 for 22 with 200 passing yards and an 80-yard touchdown.
The Steelers may need more of the same from Rodgers to defeat the Browns. Although Cleveland owns a 1-4 record, the Browns have one of the best run defenses in the league.
After shutting down the run, Garrett and company then get after opposing quarterbacks.
Rodgers has been sacked more than any other quarterback in NFL history. He’s on pace for 38 sacks this season. Last year, Rodgers suffered 40 sacks.
